Tuesday 31 January 2023

Optimise Windows 10/11

How to optimise your Windows setup

Just in case you need it. If you want a safe and conservative approach, just disable the background apps you don't need running in the background.

Windows 10

Windows 11

Or just switch to Linux LOL.

Tuesday 22 September 2020

Development of ideas-web

Criterion B - Development of ideas - MYP Digital Design projects

Upload your Development of Ideas section, including your designs/ideas, to this online assignment.

For web sites, you may want to include:

A site map diagram showing the structure of your web pages and how they link to one another,

A set of wireframe designs/diagrams showing the possible layouts that you are designing for your web site. Evaluate them all, choose the best one and justify your choice in terms of the design specification.

Recommended software:


Monday 1 June 2020

Java programming and OOP

Either to revise or as additional sources, the followins resources may help you with Java programming and OOP.

 Hope they will be useful to you!

Friday 3 April 2020

ROM and RAMs

I found this great article on the differences between BIOS (basic input/output system) and EFI/UEFI (Unified Extended Firmware Interface), which are the contents of the ROM, which is actually flash memory, non-volatile and writable.

Something to note is that in this context of flash ROM, we could say that ROM means read-only, or not writeable, but from a user perspective rather than a hardware limitation. Updating the (ROM) BIOS/UEFI is a process handled by special applications (BIOS updaters or flashers) that check and update it, or may even be an advanced option offered by the UEFI/BIOS itself.

Althogh the concept of RAM (Random Access Memory), the primary storage keeping instructions and data to be used by the processor, is not tough to grasp, the difference between static and dynamic RAM is a bit tougher. Watch this great video explaining below. Credits go to H3Vtux.



You may also want to watch TechQuickie's "Different Kinds of Memory as Fast As Possible":

And finally, this nice quizlet cards may help you revise the topic of Computer Organisation.

Tuesday 3 December 2019

Lexicographical Order

This refers to the way strings and characters are alphabetised and compared.

In Java, you need to understand lexicographical order to properly implement (and debug) sorting algorithms.

The page below has the best, most concise and practical explanation I have found so far:

Monday 15 July 2019

Buying a laptop 2019

This post is meant to share information to help you choose a laptop. If is focused on laptops for students and work. This post does not refer to gaming laptops. Also note that this post contains my opinions and it was not sponsored by Lenovo or anyone else.

In a nutshell, I recommend:

Feature

Suggestion

Comment

Screen size

14 inch screen size, 13 minimum, IPS type

smaller screens increase mobility, but they may decrease readability and also adversely affect your eyesight in the long term

Processor/ CPU

Intel Core i5

invest on RAM rather than upgrading the processor

Memory/ RAM

8 GB minimum, 16 GB ideal

if your budget allows for it

Storage/ SSD

250 GB minimum, 500 GB ideal

if your budget allows for it

Graphics

Integrated

prioritise RAM, storage (SSD) and CPU upgrades before discrete graphics

As much as I find macOS a good operating system, I find that the current offering of MacBooks is too expensive, impossible to maintain and upgrade, and far too expensive for their hardware specifications. I do not like their keyboards, either. If you go for a MacBook, AppleCare is strongly recommended. Watch this video by Dave2D for more information and recommendations on buying Apple laptops

Before you buy, look for the online review of the laptop you intend to buy. Besides google, try Laptop magazine, Notebook check and any reliable sources you may already know.

Let us take the ThinkPad series as an example of choosing a laptop. I have a ThinkPad L460. When it got “old and slow”, I was able to upgrade its RAM to 16 GB and its hard disk drive to a 500 GB solid state drive. It was straightforward, and I am still using it. This experience makes me consider getting a T470 or another ThinkPad in the future.

Find reviews for different models, then check with the Lenovo local online store, where you may be able to try different configurations and check their prices and offers.

Please remember to check for student/academic pricing. In Singapore, Lenovo offers student discounts here.

For more information and articles, you may check

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/best-laptops-for-college

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-buying-guide

Lower budget update

Unfortunately, quality laptops tend to expensive. Rather than buying a cheap, and possibly useless laptop, you may want to consider purchasing a refurbished laptop the manufacturer or a reputable shop. For a few hundred dollars, you could get a second hand ThinkPad model T, or even an X. They may not be the latest products, but for school and everyday use, they may offer a great value.

One example of a manufacturer's refurbished store is Apple's. Of course, you could also look for similar shops online or in your city. If you are in Singapore, try Remax at Bedok Mall, Century Square (Tampines), Funan and of course there are a number of shops at Sim Lim Square selling refurbished ThinkPads as well. I also found that NewEgg Singapore also hsa a refurbished section, but I have not used it myself (yet). Just don't expect a refurbished computer to be just like a new device; refurbished implies either second hand/used and/or repaired. It's a good alternative to purchasing a new laptop, but keep your expectations reasonable.

I own a Lenovo ThinkPad X250 that I got from Remax, and I am very happy with my purchase. I did buy with the intention of tinkering with it and running Linux. I eventually upgraded its RAM and swapped its old hard disk drive for an SSD, and I'm even happier with the value of what I've got. I did buy a model with an HDD, but there are many models on sale (again at Remax) already upgraded with an SSD. Of course I'd love to buy a new(er) ThinkPad, but that will take a considerable amount of time saving some serious amount of money...

Optimise Windows 10/11

How to optimise your Windows setup Just in case you need it. If you want a safe and conservative approach, just disable the background apps ...